- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen your child says their first word, it’s an exciting step into constant chatter, a lot (A LOT) of questions, and some pretty funny ‘kids say the darndest things’ moments. But what happens when your child stops talking, stops opening up and shies away from sharing their day with you? As kids grow, they move through different stages of social development. Knowing which one they are in can help you navigate and initiate meaningful conversations with your child. Keeping your kids talking is important. Not in a hovering way, but to keep connected, to check in, and keep the lines of communication open. Easier said than done, right? It can be a challenge to keep the dialogue going with your child when the day has been long for both of you. Here are some easy-to-remember conversation starters to help. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL At this age, kids will still be willing to chat with you if you take initiative and make it fun. Ask questions that focus on playful ways for them to share their emotions, interests and abilities. “What’s something really cool we could do/build/play later?” “Who was your favorite person at school today? “What did you do today that made you feel accomplished?” “What is the best thing in your backpack right now?” READ MORE: The 5 emotions you should talk about with your child TWEENS Ah, the middle school years. Your child wants to feel competent and show you that they are capable, so try to give them opportunities to share their thoughts and skills. They are also starting to form their identity, which can be tricky at best. You can learn a lot by listening to them talk to their friends and then try to pick up those same conversations later on. “Can you show me how you did that…” “In middle school I remember being…” “How is so-and-so doing?” “What’s the kindest thing you did for someone this week?” READ MORE: Understanding how your child experiences social pressure TEENS + YOUNG ADULTS Your little one isn’t so little anymore. They are fast approaching adulthood. This means you can really start to get on their level and vice versa. Current event and pop culture topics seem cliché as conversation topics, but being open to your child’s perspective and feedback can make a huge impact as they are figuring out who they are and where they feel comfortable and safe. Avoid ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ questions and don’t be offended if they don’t want to talk. You can share parts of your day to give them space to be themselves but still show you’re there. “What do you think about the latest updates on…” “Let me tell you about my day…” “Are there any movies or shows you’ve been wanting to watch?” Remember, if you’re having trouble getting your child or teen to talk, try not to worry. If they aren’t talking to you, they might just be opening up to friends, a cousin, another parent etc. It’s time to be concerned if you see them stop communicating with everyone, if their eating or sleeping habits change, or if you see a big shift in their mood over time. Every day, there are hundreds of opportunities to connect with your child. Time only allows us to take advantage of so many, but when you see your chance — start the conversation. Looking for some inspiration? Our printable cards can help you get the conversation started! Author Jo Deaton is the senior director of nursing for Mental Health at Anne Arundel Medical Center. She can be reached at 410-573-5454. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds. Originally published Sept. 25, 2018. Last updated Nov. 5, 2019.
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogRemember when you used to play on the playground as a child? Going to the playground didn’t only mean you were going to play, it meant you were going to laugh, run around, scream, fall, probably cry a little bit, just to get back up and keep laughing and running without a care in the world. It was the best thing ever. What we didn’t realize as children is that a lot more was happening. Not only were we having a great time while our parents were not watching our every step, we were also getting physically, mentally, emotionally and cognitively stronger. A playground should be thought of as an “opportunity ground.” Recent research attests to the fact that play is an essential tool in a child’s development. Actually, play is so significant to optimal child development that it has been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child. Outdoor free play gives kids invaluable benefits. But not just children – everyone really. As the adventure therapy coordinator at Pathways, Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment facility, I’ve witnessed how adventure and play can help, even with individuals who are fighting the very serious issues of addiction and substance abuse. READ MORE: What do Healthy Minds Need? Adventure therapy allows folks to see that they can do something they deemed as impossible. We try to convey the lessons learned during therapy in their day-to-day lives, showing them how to trust themselves and trust others – even when those “others” are people like them going through rehabilitation. Play is an opportunity for children to use their creativity while developing other crucial life skills, according to research by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Here are some of the many benefits your child attains when playing: Physical. For children, it’s just fun to run and jump around. But research shows active play is critical for a child’s physical development. When kids are playing, they are honing their coordination, balance, space awareness and fine- and gross-motor skills. Physically active kids also tend to be leaner and healthier. In addition, physical play uses up natural stores of energy, which leads to better eating and sleeping habits – which also means better sleep for parents! Double win. Emotional. Play can be an emotional outlet, acting as therapy for some children who might be emotionally distressed from a traumatic situation. Research shows that play helps children release and “play out” their current emotional state – from fear, frustration, anger and aggression – all while teaching them how to express and regulate feelings. It’s also a chance for them to practice empathy and understanding. Social. By playing with others, children learn how to create and maintain friendships. Cooperative play helps kids sharpen their social skills while learning how to negotiate group dynamics. It gives them the opportunity to learn how to collaborate and cooperate with others, recognize and respond to different feelings, share, show kindness, resolve conflicts and follow the rules. Plus, social skills also support academic success. Cognitive. The most crucial time for a child’s brain development is from birth to age three, when the brain is developing at the fastest rate in a child’s lifetime. During this time, their brains are like sponges, quickly absorbing learning skills, like paying attention, reasoning, remembering what they’ve learned and motor skills. Play with your child to stimulate brain development and reinforce these skills! Choose brain-teasers, puzzles and strategy-based games to help strengthen their critical thinking skills. Creative. Creativity will continue to serve kids throughout their lives. Play is a chance for kids to let loose their imaginations and create their own worlds, giving them the freedom to explore new possibilities and think outside the box. Communication. By listening, observing and sometimes noticing subtle clues, such as body language or facial expressions, they’re developing this skill. Pretend play comes in handy for communication development and literacy. Role-play is also a chance to use words kids have heard from adults and other kids, improving their vocabulary. The list could go on and on. It’s not all about just fun and games, play is really an important teaching tool that can lead to developing necessary skills for the rest of a child’s life. Next time you’re out with your child or at home, join them. The benefits of play apply to everyone. Author Mark Sakraida is the adventure therapy coordinator at Pathways, AAMC’s substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment facility. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds.
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogConfidence. Balance. Adventure. Focus. Support. These are just a few key qualities kids need in order to develop the mental strength required to become strong, responsible adults. Mental strength isn’t about being strong-willed, defiant or tough. It’s about teaching kids how to cope with what life sends their way and giving them the courage and confidence to reach to their full potential. As a parent, how do you instill these values while navigating the changing tides of society? You’re told to make kids brave, but cautious. Raise them to be confident, but humble. Give them freedom, but not too much. Keep them active, but let them rest. In the coming months, we’ll explore the “how” with you. Our age-by-age conversation starters will help you foster open communication as your child grows. Our article “Is it puberty or something else?” will explore what’s within the normal range of emotions and behavior and help you determine when you should seek professional help. We’ll talk about creating a stimulus barrier for yourself and your children, how play is therapeutic and how to navigate the pressures of social media. Raising mentally strong kids also takes self-reflection. When you get emergency instructions on an airplane, the flight attendant tells you to put on your own oxygen mask first before attempting to help anyone else. It’s a metaphor that extends to all aspects of life — you need to take care of yourself in order to best take care of others. So as you read our upcoming articles, participate in online discussions and use our tools to help encourage better communication with your child, reflect on how you too handle difficult situations, show resiliency and communicate. Let’s build mental muscle together. We need to make caring for our minds, and the minds of the children looking up to us, a priority. Because ultimately, healthy minds need YOU. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds.
- Men's Health, Senior Care, Weight Loss, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAging comes with certain advantages. As we reach retirement, life slows down a little. We have more time to spend with our spouses, our children and our grandchildren. We have the time and funds to take that vacation we never got around to, finish our “to do” lists or pick up that new hobby we always wanted to try. But aging also comes with certain disadvantages, most notably when it comes to our health. Our joints ache a little more than they used to. Our diabetes requires more and more insulin shots to control. Our hearts start to warn us about those years when we didn’t eat exactly as we should or exercise as much as we might have. Obesity can make these problems significantly worse for seniors. Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States in all age groups, and seniors are no different. In fact, the struggle to control weight can be harder for seniors as their metabolism slows down and their activity is limited by the inevitable effects of aging. Before many seniors realize it, they find themselves on handfuls of pills a day to control their blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, heartburn and general discomfort. Many overweight seniors experience frustration and hopelessness with their weight and associated medical conditions. They feel there is no way to stop this slippery slope of health issues. But there are options available to help patients over 65 control their weight, and one of the best tools is bariatric surgery. Bariatric, or weight loss, surgery decreases the size of the stomach and changes the body’s hormonal balance to curb appetite, teach appropriate portion control and help patients manage their weight. Studies show that obese seniors who undergo weight loss surgery can experience just as much weight loss as younger patients. Also, seniors do not suffer from any significant increases in complications from the surgery, meaning that it is safe even in an older population. Although many older patients have been told that they cannot qualify for this life saving operation because of their age, the truth is there is no age limit for weight loss surgery. Any patient who is healthy enough to undergo the operation is a candidate. Weight loss surgery can help patients lose more than half of their excess weight. This generally leads to a cure or remission of many medical conditions, or a significant reduction in medications. Because of the obvious health benefits, many insurance companies, including Medicare, pay for the operation. Maintaining a healthy weight and curing weight-related health conditions could help you live years longer than you might otherwise. You can take that vacation. You can try that new hobby. You can run after your grandchildren with more energy and less pain. You can have a new lease on life after retirement. AAMC Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery offers free weight loss surgery seminars in Easton and Annapolis. To learn more about what you can gain with weight loss surgery, visit askAAMC.org/ReadyToGain. Author Courtney Doyle, MD Courtney Jean Doyle,MD, is a bariatric surgeon with AAMC Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery. Originally published March 7, 2017. Last updated Sept. 4, 2018.
- Behavioral Health, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center has broken ground on the construction of its mental health hospital. During the groundbreaking ceremony, held Wednesday, June 20, hospital officials also announced the facility will be named the J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center. The McNew family has been connected to AAMC for nearly 50 years. The late Nancy McNew was an AAMC nurse from 1970 to 2006, first as a cardiac care nurse and then as the first nurse leader of Infection Control. Kent McNew served on the AAMC Board of Trustees from 2005 to 2012. To commemorate the groundbreaking, longtime supporters of the project, including Congressman John Sarbanes, Congressman Anthony Brown, Maryland Secretary of Health Robert Neall, Maryland House Speaker Michael Busch, Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh, and the offices of Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, joined AAMC President and CEO Victoria Bayless and Board of Trustees Chair Gary Jobson. READ MORE: CEO Message: Mental health hospital approved The J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center will be located on Riva Road next to Pathways, AAMC’s substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment facility. It is scheduled to open in summer 2020. The 16-bed facility will double Anne Arundel County’s inventory of mental health beds and serve up to 900 patients a year who would otherwise be transferred out of the area. When complete, the campus will provide: Inpatient mental health care A psychiatric partial hospitalization program Intensive outpatient programs Residential and outpatient substance use services Referral and care coordination to community-based treatment and support services AAMC currently provides many of these services in locations throughout the county. Offering a full spectrum of services at one location will allow for coordinated care and improved patient outcomes.
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